Amazon Veteran Dean Fullerton Takes The Helm At Plug Power As COO – Hydrogen Fuel News
LATHAM, NY — Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), a global leader in comprehensive hydrogen solutions for the green hydrogen economy, has announced the appointment of Dean Fullerton as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Fullerton, who brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at Amazon, will be instrumental in driving strategic growth and operational excellence at the company.
Who is Dean Fullerton?
Dean Fullerton joins Plug Power from Amazon, where he held the position of Vice President of Global Engineering and Security Services. During his 14-year career at Amazon, Fullerton oversaw critical functions including Operations Engineering, Planning and Analytics, Reliability and Maintenance Engineering, Global Security, Real Estate Transactions, and Global Procurement. One of his notable achievements was building the world’s most complex automated ecommerce network, which included a $1.5 billion airport and automated parcel facility. Fullerton also led Amazon’s hydrogen economy team, significantly contributing to the company’s sustainability goals by implementing hydrogen-powered solutions across various applications.
What Will Fullerton Do at Plug Power?
In his new role, Fullerton will be responsible for project execution, manufacturing, supply chain, and hydrogen generation on a global scale. His extensive background in engineering and logistics makes him well-suited to identify growth opportunities and operational improvements for the company. “I am excited to join Plug Power and contribute to the growth and development of its green hydrogen ecosystem,” said Fullerton. “This is a pivotal moment for the company and the industry, and I am committed to driving strategic operational excellence in every aspect of our business.”
Why is This Hire Significant for Plug Power?
CEO Andy Marsh described the hiring of Fullerton as a landmark move for the organization. “Hiring Dean as COO is a landmark hire for our organization. His wealth of experience and innovative mindset will be instrumental in advancing our strategic goals and maintaining our leading position in the green hydrogen economy,” Marsh stated. The addition of Fullerton to the executive team underscores Plug Power’s commitment to not only expanding its green hydrogen solutions but also enhancing operational efficiency and fostering a culture of innovation.
How Will Fullerton Impact Plug Power’s Future?
Fullerton’s role is crucial as the company continues to build an end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem. The company has already deployed over 69,000 fuel cell systems and established more than 250 fueling stations globally, making it the largest buyer of liquid hydrogen. With plans to operate a green hydrogen highway across North America and Europe, PLUG is poised to remain at the forefront of the green hydrogen economy.
The Long-Standing Plug Power and Amazon Partnership
The relationship between Plug Power and Amazon dates back to April 2017, when Amazon entered into a significant agreement to purchase Plug’s hydrogen fuel cell solutions for its material-handling equipment. Over the past seven years, this partnership has grown, enabling Amazon to achieve its corporate sustainability goals and improve the efficiency of its logistics operations.
“Our collaboration with Amazon has been a great success, not only in advancing our technology but also in supporting Amazon’s commitment to sustainability,” said Marsh. “We look forward to further strengthening our partnership and achieving new milestones together.”
Dean Fullerton’s Career Journey
Fullerton’s career began at United Parcel Service (UPS), where he spent 13 years in Industrial Engineering. He then moved on to a supply chain and logistics engineering consulting firm as a Principal/Director for eight years. Prior to joining Amazon, he worked for Gap Inc. as Senior Director of Engineering and Maintenance for North America. Fullerton holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Plug Power’s Vision for the Future
The company’s vision is clear—create a commercially viable market for hydrogen fuel cell technology. By building state-of-the-art Gigafactories to produce electrolyzers and fuel cells, and developing multiple green hydrogen production plants, Plug Power is set on a path to decarbonize the economy. Fullerton will play a significant role in steering the company towards these ambitious goals.
Plug Power is more than just a leader in hydrogen solutions; it is a pioneer in the green hydrogen economy. With Fullerton’s expertise and leadership, the company aims to continue its trajectory of innovation and operational excellence, delivering sustainable energy solutions to its global customer base.
